608 S. Old Middletown Road
Middletown Twp.
Media, PA 19063
Ph: (610) 876-4213
info@msbfh.com
Fx: (610)-874-6876
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This memory is from my Dad, Dale Means.
Tribute to Jeannette Reick:
Hopewell Baptist Church was the center of our universe as we grew up in Alum Creek, WV. Both of our families had deep roots in Baptist theology and in Hopewell in particular. My grandfather helped finance a new sanctuary after a fire destroyed the old building. Her great grandfather was a Baptist minister who was known throughout southern West Virginia where he ministered to at least 8 churches.
At Hopewell, we laughed, we cried, we sang, we prayed, we shared sorrows and joys, we loved our friends, prayed for sinners, prayed for our soldiers who went off to fight the oppression and wickedness of our enemies in World War II and the Korean War, prayed for her brother Kenny in Korea, cared for our neighbors who had special needs, and worked to make our church and community look good.
She shared her beautiful voice as part of a quartet which included my sister, Janice (the pianist), her sister Carley Jo, and two sisters from the Ashworth family. They highly sought after, locally, to deliver their beautiful Christian music at special events.
She was our Sunday School secretary and very active in our Sunday School classes, teaching small children about the Bible and to trust in God. She had a passion for teaching the small children from our community.
Then, of course, we shared many memories from Washington District High School. She was an outstanding violinist, playing in the school’s orchestra. Among the many memories were: my sister Jan and her “gusto” piano performances - our group lunch each day at Mrs. Hess’ hot dog stand where Jeannette claimed one of the four brothers as her own. If someone else tried to claim a spot in the booth, she would announce to them, “This is my booth!”. I would laugh when she would exclaim that to all. One time, a bank teller asked here what the “Z” stood for in her name, and she replied with a totally straight face and without blinking, “Zorro!”. (It actually stood for Zerita.) She laughed at me when our group went to be with our Nazerene friends to hear Tiz Jones. While there I had a little laughing episode with Tiz (his catch phrase was, “I was on my way to Penn State and I ended up in the state pen.”) I started to walk out on “Ole Tiz” and he promptly said, “Don’t leave young man.” I graciously returned to my seat. My friends teased me about that one. I had almost forgotten about that event, but recently (after 70 years), Jeannette reminded me, and we all laughed again.
Jeannette was one of my favorite Christians - sincere, smart, honest, and genuinely good.
Carley Jo and I loved her.
Dale Means
Brother-in-law and lifelong friend
PSU Delco (Brandywine) Ice Hockey wouldn’t exist without her and Derek. They both helped me in more ways than I can count and I appreciate the Rieck family everyday!
I tell this story when someone asks when you knew you would marry your significant other (Derek). It was circa 1999 and we had been dating for almost a year, Derek and his mom had just had a very brief disagreement upon which Derek and I had gotten in the car and driven off. As Derek was venting in the car, he stopped it at the end of his street and turned the car around headed back home. He said it didn’t matter who was right or wrong, he can’t leave his mom there because she’ll be upset about it all night and that he needed to go apologize. The moment he walked in to apologize, I remember thinking that someone who loved his mom that much would surely love his wife the same. So thank you “Mom” (as I called her after we married in 2006) for raising my best friend. He is the kind, strong man he is today is because of you.
If not watching the Flyers and even if the Flyers were on you could always find Jeanette cheering on Derek at his Hockey games. Didn’t matter if it was Penn State games or local pickup games, she was always there. Thank you for a wonderful son-in-law Jeanette and may God Bless you and your family and keep you in the Palm of His hands.